Hey everyone! I recently spent 3 nights and 4 days living the nomad life in Ise, Mie Prefecture — and I’d love to share my experience with you.
Where I Stayed: Kazamiso Hostel
I stayed at a cozy hostel called Kazamiso.
The first floor has a spacious area where you can relax, eat, or work. I mostly worked from there during my stay.
On the second floor, there’s a kitchen and free coffee and tea available for guests.
The place was clean, full of warmth thanks to its wooden structure, and overall had a really welcoming, peaceful vibe.
Living Simply (but Tasting Local Delights)
Since I was watching my budget, I mostly cooked for myself. But I still made time to try a few local gems!
Manpuku Shokudo – The Legendary Karaage Bowl
This famous eatery serves what might be Japan’s best karaage (fried chicken) rice bowl.
It costs just 800 yen and is super satisfying. The owner was really friendly too — good food and good vibes!
Yamaguchiya – Ise Udon & Local Set Meal
Yamaguchiya is a popular spot known for their soft and chewy Ise udon.
If you visit around 10am when they open, you might get lucky and try their limited “Local Set”, only 20 servings per day! Worth the early visit.
Street Food Fun in Oharaimachi
Just steps from Ise Grand Shrine is Oharaimachi Street, lined with charming food stalls and souvenir shops.
I treated myself to brown sugar + kinako (roasted soy flour) dango and a Matsusaka beef bun. Both were delicious!
Fun fact — when I stopped by the meat bun shop around 4pm, they were selling them at a discount! Of course I had to grab one.
Bonus: Ise Craft Beer!
I also discovered that Ise is known for its craft beer — and you’ll find a great variety of local brews even at convenience stores.
Would be fun to grab a few and do a little tasting session!
Visiting Ise Grand Shrine
The main reason I came to Ise was to visit the Ise Grand Shrine.
Walking through the sacred grounds, I felt an incredibly calm and serene atmosphere — truly a spiritual place.
It was cherry blossom season too, so I caught glimpses of blooming sakura here and there. So beautiful!
I've already visited Izumo Taisha, so now I just have Ishigami Shrine left to complete the Three Great Shrines of Japan!
Final Thoughts
Overall, this 3-night, 4-day trip to Ise was peaceful, refreshing, and deeply fulfilling.
It’s a place where tradition, nature, and comfort coexist beautifully. Whether you’re traveling, working remotely, or just looking for some healing time — Ise is a great pick.
Until next time! 🌸
